Verified personal information database

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method for creating a database of verified personal information. Information regarding individuals is gathered from one or more sources and stored. Authorized individuals request to view the information over a wide area computer network. The authorized individuals are allowed to review selected portions of the gathered information which is presented over the wide area computer network. Commentary from the authorized users on the accuracy of said the information is solicited and included in the database with information. Third parties do not have access to the database of verified personal information but can verify information outside of the database.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 433,356 filed Mar. 11, 2003, entitled VERIFIED PERSONAL INFORMATION DATABASE.BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a method for gathering, organizing, and delivering personal information over the Internet. More specifically, the present invention provides for a system for electronic retrieval, storage, management, and authorized distribution of personal and confidential, information that is verified as being accurate. [0004] 2. Relevant Art [0005] The Internet is a powerful publication and information tool. When a web site operator posts information on a web site, he in effect publishes that information throughout the world instantaneously. Using search engines and location tools, other Internet users can search out posted information quickly and inexpensively. Much of the information shared on the Internet is in the public dom...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] It is an object of one embodiment of the present invention to provide a method for delivering personal information over the Internet that gives individuals a measure of control over the information that is delivered or retrieved. Specifically the present invention gathers large amounts of information regarding an individual that has been published on other web sites. The information, once gathered, is stored in a database accessible over the Internet through a web site. The person who is the subject of the information may log on to the web site to review, verify, or otherwise modify the collected information. After a person has verified his or her information, when additional information about the person is gathered or when another individual searches the person's database record, the person is notified and informed what kind of information has been found, and who is searching for information and their intentions.

[0010] It is another object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide reliable information regarding an individual by searching the Internet for information about the individual, gathering and publishing the information in a database available over the Internet, and updating and verifying the information provided.

[0011] It is also an object of the present invention to facilitate the requesting and receiving of personal information over the Internet while maintaining this improved reliability of the information and maintaining a measure of control.

Problems solved by technology

However, information that is private, sensitive, or confidential is also easily distributed, published, and eventually discovered by others on the Internet.

The sheer amount of information available on the Internet leaves much of that information suspect as to its accuracy.

In some cases it is difficult to tell whether information on the Internet is days old or years old.

In some instances it is difficult to discern whether the source of Internet published information is a reliable source.

Moreover, many web sites are vulnerable to being modified (hacked into) without the publisher's consent.

The interactive nature of the Internet makes it risky to store, manage, and transfer personal and / or confidential information on the Internet.

These copies may not be secure.

Furthermore, much of the private and personal information about individuals posted on the Internet is done so without the knowledge of those individuals.

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